The injury report is often a sobering place.
And after riding high on the waves of news coming down that Justin Fields would be the Bears’ starting QB moving forward, we are greeted with the wet blanket that is the first injury report of the week:
#Bears Wednesday injury report: pic.twitter.com/YXaAd5c7F1
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 6, 2021
Six Bears players didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice. And that is an unfortunately high number. But let’s talk through it for the sake of context.
• The headliners of this group are Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks, a pair of stud defenders this team needs to be healthy. Mack was already dealing with a foot issue stemming from the Week 3 Browns game, but now has a ribs injury to go along with it. Hicks was in on just one defensive snap before a groin injury put him on the sidelines. It’s not a good sign that Hicks didn’t practice after not returning to Sunday’s game against the Lions. I suppose we could hold out optimism, citing Mack’s practice limitations last week. But we won’t get too far ahead of our skis.
• Running back David Montgomery was also missing from practice. But we were expecting that news after reports earlier in the week were hinting at an extended absence for the team’s top rusher.
• Linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring) didn’t practice in his first opportunity after missing last Sunday’s game due to an injury. Tight end J.P. Holtz’s quad injury kept him out of practice. Fellow tight end Jesse James (personal reasons) also didn’t participate in Wednesday’s festivities.
• It wasn’t all bad on the injury front. Running back Damien Williams (quad) was a full-go. Things are lining up for him to start in place of Montgomery. Joining Williams as fully participating were safeties Deon Bush (shoulder) and Tashaun Gipson Sr. (hamstring), tight end Jesper Horsted (knee), and quarterback Andy Dalton (knee).
• Wide receiver Darnell Mooney remains limited in practice because of a groin issue.
It stinks to see a half-dozen Bears players missing out on practice due to various ailments. But it is wonderful to see a handful of key cogs having full participation. And, hey, isn’t it nice not seeing nose tackle Eddie Goldman on the injury report? All in all, things could be better. Hopefully, some more positive updates are in line for Thursday and Friday.